Patent GB-420612-A (GB)
Title: Improved testing, stamping, and grading machine, particularly for articles capable of rolling
IPC: B07C5/22
Filed: 1933-06-28
Abstract: 420,612. Endless-belt conveyers; stepby-step conveyers. McELLIN, T. J., Balla, Co. Mayo, Irish Free State. June 28, 1933, No. 18433. [Class 78 (i)] [See also Groups XVIII, VI, and XVI] A machine for testing, stamping and grading eggs, and other articles capable of rolling, by weight comprises a testing-conveyer 1, a stamp 22, and a grading-mechanism having a series of scale pans set to tilt at decreasing weights, the eggs being transferred from pan to pan until tilted on to the discharge means. The conveyer 1 is driven intermittently by an eccentric 19, links 16, 17 and a pawl 12, and is provided with egg-holding apertures 10. The sides of the conveyer are closed by side plates 5. The eggs project through the apertures 10andcontact with a transparent ramp 8 which lifts the eggs and rotates them as they pass over the lamps. Each egg, after stamping, rolls on to a seat 43 aligned with a series of scale pans 57. The means for transferring the eggs from the seat 43 to the first pan and then from pan to pan comprises a horizontally reciprocating member 47 and a member 44 mounted within the member 47 to reciprocate vertically relative thereto. The member 44 comprises spaced side members which are recessed to form egg seats at distances corresponding with the spacing of the scale pans which are accommodated freely between the side members of the member 44. The side members are joined by end pieces carrying vertical posts 49 which are received in bearings 52, 52<a> at the ends of the outer member 47 and act as guides for the vertical reciprocation. The lower ends of the posts 49 carry contact pieces or rollers 53 to co-operate with cams 79, Fig. 4, and the outer member 47 has a depending end pin 56, Fig. 4, through which the horizontal reciprocations are imparted. The motor 72 drives, through gearing, a crank pin 74 which is journaled in a rocking arm 77 pivoted at 78 to a horizontally guided rod 75 connected to the pin 56. The rotation of the crank 74 thus rocks the arm 77 and, at the same time, reciprocates its pivot point. The reciprocation is transmitted to the member 47 whilst the member 44 is vertically reciprocated by the cams 79 on the ends of the arm 77. When the eggs are lifted from the scale pans and moved forward, they are retained in the recesses in the member 44 by spring-pressed pads carried by a cross bar 85 secured to the horizontally reciprocating member 47. The egg-holding recesses in the scale pans 57 each have an open side to permit the egg to roll out when the pan is tilted. Each pan is carried on a cranked beam 61 having a screwed end 98 to receive the balance weight 59 and to permit the knife edge 83 to be secured against a washer 97 having a boss 96 which carries an overbalancing weight 61<a>. A rubber buffer 99 is positioned beneath the weight 59. In order to prevent the downward momentum of the eggs, on being deposited on the pans, from tilting the pans and so discharging the eggs prematurely, a locking device is provided which is released when the eggs are deposited. This locking-device comprises a strip 62 which is reciprocated with the member 47 and is notched at 63 to allow the beams 61 to float when the weighing operation is to be effected. In order to increase the output of the machine, the conveyer 1 may have two or more rows of apertures, and the scale pans are arranged in groups of a corresponding number. If, for example, two rows of eggs are tested on the conveyer 1, each grading group of scales has two scale pans and the members 44, 47 move the eggs forward two scale pans at a time. The discharge shoots from the pans may be arranged at one side of the machine, or some on each side, and very light eggs are discharged by the members 44, 47 from the last scale pans on to a reject table.